ESIA of the Gulpur Hydropower Project Appendix B: Biodiversity Baseline Hagler Bailly Pakistan Appendix B R4V07GHP: 09/23/14 B-1 Hagler Bailly Pakistan Associated with PA Consulting Group Technical, Management, and Economic Counsel Biodiversity Baseline Gulpur Hydropower Project Final Report HBP Ref.: R4E04GHP September 23, 2014 Mira Power Limited Islamabad Biodiversity Baseline Final Report Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Project Setting .......................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Scope ........................................................................................................ 1-4 1.3 Study Area ................................................................................................ 1-4 1.4 Concerns Expressed by the Stakeholders ............................................. 1-6 1.5 Organization of the Report ...................................................................... 1-6 2. Methodology .................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Aquatic Ecological Resources Survey .................................................... 2-2 2.1.1 Fish .................................................................................................. 2-2 2.1.2 Macro-invertebrate ........................................................................... 2-3 2.2 Terrestrial Ecological Resources Survey ............................................... 2-3 2.2.1 Floral Diversity (Vegetation) and Habitats ........................................ 2-3 2.2.2 Mammals.......................................................................................... 2-5 2.2.3 Birds ................................................................................................. 2-6 2.2.4 Herpeto-fauna .................................................................................. 2-7 2.3 Basis for Determination of Conservation Status of Species and Performance Standard for Preparation of the Baseline ......................... 2-7 2.4 Limitations of the Study ........................................................................... 2-9 3. Ecological Setting ........................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Regional Overview ................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Ecological and Socio-economic Significance of Poonch River ............ 3-2 3.3 Causes for Decline in Fish Resources .................................................... 3-4 3.4 Ecosystem Destruction due to Sand and Gravel Mining ....................... 3-6 4. Fish Fauna ........................................................................................ 4-1 4.1 Overview of Fish Fauna of Poonch River ............................................... 4-1 4.2 Distribution and Abundance of Fish Fauna ............................................ 4-7 4.2.1 October 2013 survey ........................................................................ 4-7 4.2.2 December 2013 survey .................................................................. 4-12 4.2.3 May 2014 Survey ........................................................................... 4-13 4.3 Indicator Species .................................................................................... 4-18 4.4 Fish Indicators and their Flow–related Needs ...................................... 4-26 4.4.1 Links to and Dependence on Flow Regime .................................... 4-26 Hagler Bailly Pakistan Contents R4E04GHP: 09/23/14 ii Biodiversity Baseline Final Report 5. Macro-invertebrates ........................................................................ 5-1 5.1 Overview of Benthic Fauna ...................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Results of the Macro-invertebrate Surveys ............................................ 5-2 5.2.1 Distribution and Abundance in the Study Area ................................. 5-4 5.3 Macro-invertebrate Indicators ................................................................. 5-8 5.4 Macro-invertebrate Indicators for the Poonch River and their Flow- Related Needs ........................................................................................... 5-9 6. Floral Diversity................................................................................. 6-1 6.1 Habitat Classification ............................................................................... 6-2 6.2 October 2013 Survey ................................................................................ 6-5 6.3 December 2013 Survey ............................................................................ 6-7 6.4 May 2014 Survey ...................................................................................... 6-7 6.5 Medicinal Plants of the Study Area ......................................................... 6-7 6.6 Plant Species in Area of Habitat Loss ..................................................... 6-7 7. Mammals .......................................................................................... 7-1 7.1 Large Mammals ........................................................................................ 7-5 7.1.1 October 2013 Survey ....................................................................... 7-5 7.1.2 December 2013 Survey .................................................................... 7-6 7.2 Small Mammals ...................................................................................... 7-10 7.2.1 October 2013 Survey ..................................................................... 7-10 7.2.2 December 2013 survey .................................................................. 7-11 7.3 Otters....................................................................................................... 7-11 7.4 Conservation and Protection Status ..................................................... 7-15 8. Herpeto-fauna .................................................................................. 8-1 8.1 Overview of Herpeto-fauna Abundance and Diversity ........................... 8-6 8.1.1 Species Sighted and Habitat Affinities ............................................ 8-10 8.2 Conservation Status ............................................................................... 8-11 9. Birds ................................................................................................. 9-1 9.1 Results and Discussion ........................................................................... 9-4 9.1.1 October 2013 Survey ....................................................................... 9-4 9.1.2 December 2013 survey .................................................................... 9-4 9.2 Species Sighted and Habitat Affinities ................................................... 9-8 9.3 Important Bird Areas .............................................................................. 9-12 9.4 Importance of Study Area for Migratory Birds ..................................... 9-14 Hagler Bailly Pakistan Contents R4E04GHP: 09/23/14 iii Biodiversity Baseline Final Report 9.5 Birds of Conservation Importance ........................................................ 9-15 10. Conclusion ..................................................................................... 10-1 10.1 Habitat Types and Ecological Characteristics ..................................... 10-2 10.2 Fish Fauna .............................................................................................. 10-6 10.3 Macro-Invertebrates ............................................................................... 10-7 10.4 Endangered and Threatened Species ................................................... 10-7 10.4.1 Critical Habitat Assessment .......................................................... 10-11 Appendices Appendix A: Field Data Appendix B: Species List Hagler Bailly Pakistan Contents R4E04GHP: 09/23/14 iv Biodiversity Baseline Final Report Exhibits Exhibit 1.1: Project Setting ...................................................................................... 1-2 Exhibit 1.2: Principle Features of the Project ........................................................... 1-3 Exhibit 1.3: Study Area ............................................................................................ 1-5 Exhibit 1.4: Concerns Expressed by Stakeholders .................................................. 1-6 Exhibit 2.1: Timing, Location, and Scope of Surveys in the Study Area ................... 2-1 Exhibit 2.2: Aquatic Ecological Sampling Locations ............................................... 2-10 Exhibit 2.3: Terrestrial Ecological Sampling Locations .......................................... 2-11 Exhibit 2.4: Fish Sampling Locations for May 2014 survey .................................... 2-12 Exhibit 3.1: Photographs of Threats to Fish in the Study Area ................................. 3-6 Exhibit 3.2: Photographs of Sand and Gravel Extraction in Study Area ................... 3-7 Exhibit 3.3: Socio-Economic Uses of the Poonch River ........................................... 3-8 Exhibit 4.1: Fish Fauna Recorded from the Poonch River ....................................... 4-3 Exhibit 4.2: Species of Special Importance Found in the Poonch River, Azad Kashmir ....................................................................................... 4-5 Exhibit 4.3: Fish Fauna Observed During October 2013 Survey of the Study Area . 4-8 Exhibit 4.4: Fish Abundance and Diversity at Sampling Points. Survey Conducted October 2013 Survey ............................................ 4-11 Exhibit 4.5: Fish Fauna Observed During December Survey ................................. 4-13 Exhibit 4.7: Fish Abundance and Diversity Observed During May Survey ............. 4-17 Exhibit 4.8: Number of Individuals of Indicator Fish Species collected in October 2013 survey at Sampling stations ....................... 4-19 Exhibit 4.9: Number of Indicator Fish Species Collected in the Study Area during October 2013 survey ............................................. 4-20 Exhibit 4.10: Number of Indicator Fish Species Collected in the Study Area during May 2013 survey ................................................... 4-20 Exhibit 4.13: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Schizothorax plagiostomus ................................................................. 4-28 Exhibit 4.14: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding, and Migratory Behavior of the Tor putitora .......................................... 4-28 Exhibit 4.15: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Tor putitora ................... 4-29 Hagler Bailly Pakistan R4E04GHP: 09/23/14 v Biodiversity Baseline Final Report Exhibit 4.16: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding, and Migratory Behavior of the Labeo dyocheilus ................................ 4-29 Exhibit 4.17: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Labeo dyocheilus .......... 4-30 Exhibit 4.18: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding, and Migratory Behavior of the Glyptothorax kashmirensis .................. 4-30 Exhibit 4.19: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Glyptothorax kashmirensis .................................................................. 4-31 Exhibit 4.20: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding, and Migratory Behavior of the Botia rostrata ....................................... 4-31 Exhibit 4.21: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Botia rostrata ................ 4-32 Exhibit 4.22: Preferences for Flow–dependent Habitat, Breeding, and Migratory Behavior of the Clupisoma garua ................................. 4-32 Exhibit 4.23: Annual Cycle of Breeding and Growth of the Clupisoma garua ........... 4-33 Exhibit 5.1: Average Abundance /m2 of Macro-invertebrate Taxa ............................ 5-2 Exhibit 5.2: Macro-invertebrates Abundance at Sampling Points during October 2013 Survey ............................................................................ 5-6 Exhibit 5.3: Macro-invertebrates Diversity at Sampling Points during October 2013 Survey ............................................................................ 5-7 Exhibit 5.4: Average Abundance/m2 of EPT Fauna ................................................. 5-8 Exhibit 5.5: Average Abundance/m2 of Simuliidae ................................................... 5-9 Exhibit 5.6: Flow-related Needs of Macro-invertebrates ........................................ 5-10 Exhibit 5.7: Generalized Activity Calendar for EPT Fauna ..................................... 5-12 Exhibit 5.8: Generalized Activity Calendar for Simuliidae ...................................... 5-13 Exhibit 6.1: Habitat Distribution in the Terrestrial Study Area .................................. 6-4 Exhibit 6.2: Distribution of Different Habitats in the Study Area ............................... 6-5 Exhibit 6.3: Photographs of Different Habitats in the Study Area ............................. 6-5 Exhibit 6.4: Photographs of Common Plant Species of the Study Area ................... 6-8 Exhibit 6.5: Vegetation Cover, Plant Count and Diversity by Habitat Types, Survey Conducted October 2013, December 2013 and May 2014 ....... 6-9 Exhibit 6.6: Phytosociological Attributes of Plant Communities in Habitats, Survey conducted October 2013 ......................................................... 6-10 Exhibit 6.7: Phytosociological Attributes of Plant Communities in Habitats, Survey Conducted December 2013 .................................................... 6-13 Exhibit 6.8: Phytosociological Attributes of Plant Communities in Habitats, Survey Conducted May 2014 .............................................................. 6-14 Exhibit 6.9: Plant Species observed in Area of Habitat Loss ................................. 6-15 Hagler Bailly Pakistan R4E04GHP: 09/23/14 vi Biodiversity Baseline Final Report Exhibit 7.1: Signs Data for Mammals Excluding Rodents, Abundance and Diversity by Habitat Type, Surveys Conducted and October 2013 and December 2013 ............................. 7-2 Exhibit 7.4: Species Accumulation Curves for December 2013 Survey ................... 7-5 Exhibit 7.5: Abundance of Mammals in the Study Area (for both signs and sightings) Survey Conducted October 2013 and December 2013 ......... 7-8 Exhibit 7.6: Location of Pir Lasura National Park ..................................................... 7-9 Exhibit 7.7: Distribution of Mammal Signs in Habitat Types in the Study Area Survey Conducted October 2013 ..................................... 7-10 Exhibit 7.8: Trapping Success for Rodents in the Study Area Survey Conducted October 2013 .................................................................... 7-11 Exhibit 7.9: Summary of Otter Signs in Study Area. Surveys conducted December 2013 .................................................................................. 7-13 Exhibit 7.10: Otter Sampling Locations in Study Area. Surveys conducted December 2013 .................................................................................. 7-14 Exhibit 7.11: Photographs of Otter Signs Observed in Study Area during December 2013 Survey ...................................................................... 7-15 Exhibit 8.1: Species Accumulation Curves for October 2013 Survey ....................... 8-3 Exhibit 8.2: Abundance and Diversity of Herpeto-fauna by Habitat Type, Survey Conducted October 2013 .......................................................... 8-4 Exhibit 8.3: Abundance of Herpeto-fauna in the Study Area Survey Conducted October 2013 ...................................................................... 8-5 Exhibit 8.4: Photographs of Common Reptilian Species of the Study Area ............. 8-6 Exhibit 8.5: Abundance and Diversity of Herpeto-fauna in the Aquatic Study Area, Survey Conducted October 2013 ...................................... 8-8 Exhibit 8.6: Abundance and Diversity of Herpeto-fauna in the Terrestrial Study Area, Survey Conducted October 2013 ...................................... 8-9 Exhibit 8.7: Distribution of Some Common Herpeto-faunal species in Habitat Types in Study Area Survey Conducted October 2013 ........... 8-11 Exhibit 9.1: Bird Abundance and Diversity by Habitat Type Surveys October 2013 and December 2013 .................................................................... 9-2 Exhibit 9.2: Species Accumulation Curves for October 2013 Survey in Study Area in Habitat Types ................................................................. 9-2 Exhibit 9.3: Bird Abundance and Diversity in Aquatic Study Area, Survey conducted October 2013 ........................................................... 9-6 Hagler Bailly Pakistan R4E04GHP: 09/23/14 vii Biodiversity Baseline Final Report Exhibit 9.4: Bird Abundance and Diversity in Terrestrial Study Area, Survey conducted October 2013 ........................................................... 9-7 Exhibit 9.5: Number of Birds of each Species Sighted by Habitat Type in the Study Area. Survey Conducted October 2013 ...................................... 9-9 Exhibit 9.6: Number of Birds of each Species Sighted by Habitat Type in the Study Area. Survey Conducted December 2013 ................................. 9-11 Exhibit 9.7: Location of some of the Important Bird Areas in AJK .......................... 9-13 Exhibit 9.8: Asian Migratory Bird Flyways .............................................................. 9-15 Exhibit 9.9: Spatial Distribution of Vultures in the Study Area, Survey Conducted October 2013 ........................................................ 9-17 Exhibit 9.10: Photographs of Vultures and Vulture Nests in the Study Area Survey Conducted October 2013 ..................................... 9-18 Exhibit 10.1: Terrestrial Sampling Points for Each Habitat Type, Surveys Conducted October 2013, December 2013 and May 2014 ..................................................................................... 10-2 Exhibit 10.2: Aquatic Sampling Points for Surveys Conducted in October 2013, December 2014 and May 2014 ................................... 10-2 Exhibit 10.3: List of Species with Conservation Status Observed or Likely to Occur in the Study Area Surveys conducted October 2013 (Oct 2013) and Decemer 2013 (Dec 2013) ....................................... 10-17 Hagler Bailly Pakistan Introduction R4E04GHP: 09/23/14 viii Biodiversity Baseline Final Report 1. Introduction Mira Power Limited (the “MPL” or the “Company”) is an Independent Power Producer (the “IPP”) which is planning to develop Gulpur Hydropower Project (the “Project”) in the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (the „AJK‟). The Project will utilize the flow of Poonch River, the full length of which within AJK has been notified as a national park by the AJK Wildlife and Fisheries Department. MPL engaged Hagler Bailly Pakistan to conduct an assessment of potential impacts on biodiversity from the Project and to identify mitigation and management measures to address potential impacts from the Project. The objective of this study is to establish ecological baseline information on the flora and fauna in the Study Area. 1.1 Project Setting The Gulpur Hydropower Project with design capacity of 100 MW will use the water resources of the Poonch River for power generation. The Project site is located in Kotli District, Azad Jammu and Kashmir at latitude 33°27‟ and longitude 73°51‟, about 9 km South of Kotli Town (Exhibit 1.1). Exhibit 1.2 illustrates the principle features of the Project. The Project‟s major components include weir, intake structure and power house. All the project structures will be located near Barali on the Poonch River at about 11 km downstream of Kotli Town and about 6 km downstream of the confluence of Ban Nullah with the river. The intake structure and intake portal of the power tunnel will be located on west bank of the Poonch River, 150 meter upstream of weir structure on the eastern face of a ridge. The power house and outlet will be located on right bank Poonch River about 800 m downstream of the Weir structure. A low flow section of a length of about 700m will be created downstream of the weir to the outlet of the powerhouse. The Normal Operating Level (NOL) of the Project shall be at an elevation of 532 m from the sea level Hagler Bailly Pakistan Introduction R4E04GHP: 09/23/14 1-1